Collective Prayer: Drawing Near to God Together
Summary
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of collective prayer and the understanding that prayer is not a solitary journey but a communal one. I highlighted the significance of the Lord's Prayer, explaining that it is not just a list of loosely connected petitions, but a prayer that focuses on the essentials of God's cause and addresses the great human questions of bread, guilt, and redemption. I also stressed the importance of recognizing our dependence on God and the need to approach Him with shameless audacity, trusting that He will provide for our needs.
In the second part of the sermon, I delved into the parables and parabolic sayings that follow the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing that God is not a distant figure but a loving Father who responds to our needs. I also touched on the themes of forgiveness and the struggle against the powers of evil, reminding the congregation that Jesus has already offered forgiveness and waged war against these powers. I concluded by reiterating the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the basis of our relationship with God and the means through which we can draw near to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer is a communal journey, not a solitary one. We draw near to God as a people, not as individuals. ([38:08])
- The Lord's Prayer is a guide for our prayers, focusing on God's cause and addressing our human needs and struggles. ([37:17])
- We should approach God with shameless audacity, recognizing our dependence on Him and trusting that He will provide for our needs. ([46:02])
- Forgiveness is a key theme in our relationship with God. If we ask for and accept God's forgiveness, we must also be willing to forgive others. ([43:54])
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the basis of our relationship with God and the means through which we can draw near to Him. ([44:39])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus - God revealing himself as a father to Israel in Egypt [42:13]
2. Luke - Jesus teaching the Lord's Prayer [34:57]
3. Luke - Jesus' parables about prayer [45:26]
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of God revealing himself as a father to Israel in Egypt?
2. How does Jesus frame the Lord's Prayer in the context of the kingdom journey?
3. What are the key themes in Jesus' parables about prayer?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God as a father influence our understanding of prayer?
2. How does the Lord's Prayer reflect the mission of Jesus and the kingdom journey?
3. What do Jesus' parables about prayer teach us about our relationship with God and our dependence on Him?
Application Questions:
1. How can you incorporate the understanding of God as a father in your personal prayer life?
2. What is one way you can apply the principles of the Lord's Prayer in your daily life?
3. Can you think of a situation where you felt completely dependent on God, similar to the parables about prayer? How did that experience shape your understanding of prayer?
4. How can you demonstrate your dependence on God in your interactions with others this week?
5. What is one way you can actively seek God's kingdom in your life, as instructed in the Lord's Prayer?
Devotional
Day 1: The Collective Nature of Prayer
Prayer is not an individual journey but a collective one. We draw near to God as a people, a family. We don't just pray for our needs, but for the needs of all. This collective nature of prayer is implicit in the way Jesus frames the Lord's Prayer, reminding us that we are all children of God and can draw near to Him at any time, any place ([38:08]).
Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 12:26 - "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the collective nature of prayer into your daily prayer life?
Day 2: The Simplicity of Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples a simple, direct prayer, emphasizing that anyone can pray. You do not need years of training or a long list of techniques. The Lord's Prayer is a prayer for people who are following Jesus on the kingdom journey, who want to be part of his mission in the world, and who want to draw on God's strength ([34:57]).
Bible passage: Matthew 6:7 - "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words."
Reflection: How can you simplify your prayers to focus more on God's mission and less on your own desires?
Day 3: The Habit of Prayer
Jesus was a person of prayer, often withdrawing from the crowds to spend time in prayer. His disciples saw this and wanted to follow his example. Prayer was not a one-off activity for Jesus, but a characteristic habit ([31:50]).
Bible passage: Mark 1:35 - "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more consistent habit in your daily life?
Day 4: The Audacity of Prayer
Jesus encourages us to approach God with shameless audacity, recognizing our dependence on Him and trusting that He will provide what we need. This audacity in prayer is not about demanding our own way, but about acknowledging our need for God's provision ([45:26]).
Bible passage: Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Reflection: How can you approach God with more audacity in your prayers, trusting in His provision?
Day 5: The Assurance of Prayer
Despite the questions and doubts we may have, Jesus assures us that God is not playing games with us. He will not give us anything bad or evil. We can draw near to God in prayer, trusting in His goodness and His desire to give us good gifts ([47:30]).
Bible passage: James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Reflection: How can you trust more fully in God's goodness as you pray?
Quotes
1. "God responds to our recognition that we're dependent, that we can't make it on our own, that it's only through Jesus' death for us that we can have life. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." - 46:47
2. "To call God father was to invoke the Exodus, the liberating God, the God whose kingdom was coming bringing bread for the hungry, forgiveness for the sinner and deliverance from the powers of darkness." - 42:13
3. "We draw near to God as a people, in fact a family, we call God father. We don't just pray for my bread, we pray for our bread. We don't just pray for my forgiveness, we pray for our forgiveness." - 39:39
4. "We want to pray for children in these countries that you will give them the chance, the opportunity to know your love, to know your greatness and to know what it is to be your child." - 28:19
5. "Drawing near to God, that's the heart of what prayer is, isn't it? Coming into the presence of God, or maybe more accurately, opening yourself up to the presence of God." - 30:09
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